City of Killeen, Texas’ Post

Great stats to dive into in this report. The power of parks can only keep up if we invest and empower our seasonal teams just as much as our year round teams!

Fabulous article!!

Parks and Recreation - An Essential Service! Confirming what many of us already knew! A recent report by the National Recreation and Park Association found that local park and recreation agencies generated more than $201 billion in economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2021. And Colorado achieved the sixth highest return of any state with over $7 billion in economic benefits! It's time to recognize that parks and recreation is a critical element for the health and wellness benefits of our citizens, and also for the economic health of our communities. https://lnkd.in/gBUZUFJ2

Why do you work in senior care and service? What keeps you going through challenging times like the pandemic and economic uncertainty? There is something to be said about finding meaning and connection every day that makes this 'work' unique 💚 #parkplacepeople #seniorliving #connection #seniorcare

My POV on this recent article from National Recreation and Park Association about 🌳🥹🫣 What Keeps People From Visiting Their Local Parks? "Concerns About Public Safety The data also reveals that people are more likely to not visit their local parks and recreation facilities because of a concern with public safety. From 2016-2019, concerns about personal safety regarding park sites themselves and traveling to park sites were quite low, with 9-17 percent of participants listing it as their greatest obstacle to enjoying local parks. However, post-pandemic, these numbers have only increased. Twenty percent of participants stated that their concern about traveling safely was the primary factor keeping them from their parks and recreation facilities, and 21 percent responded that their concern about safety within the parks themselves was keeping them from spending time there." 🚨🤓👉 MY TAKE ON THIS REALITY: It's increasingly reported that "dog people" are amongst the most frequent users of parks and recreation spaces. If we're looking for ways to get people back to nature (take my word for it - it's a catastropic issue), let's include the entire bonded family. 85-95% of dog owners consider them to be family members or children. You may not relate to that, but it's driving consumer demand and spending. Are you building to accomodate that culture? (BTW: I'm the leading expert on the subject - the #dogfriendlyexpert ® - Call me if you'd like an expert alongside you as you move toward sustainable dog friendliness that meets expectations. https://lnkd.in/e5CUbFkx

Our journey began with a simple belief That the knowledge and expertise accumulated within Parks and Recreation departments are “recipes” meant to be shared. Here, each recipe is a meticulously crafted document, plan, framework, or strategy from the world of parks and recreation. We're talking: 🗣 Marketing & Communication Plans 🏡 Facility/Field Rental Policies 📑 Recreation Software RFP’s 🎆 Special Event Permitting Guides And yes…we have recipes on how to deal with: Pickleball 😮 We save you time and effort by offering practical knowledge you can use immediately. Parks and Rec Professionals wear a lot of hats Within the last year you may have opened a new Community Center, promoted a new Public Art exhibit, or published a Climate and Sustainability Action Plan. City Council’s demand action, and too frequently our day is spent in meetings, checking off HR “boxes”, or updating a job description because you just lost an employee to another city who could pay $1.25/hr more than you. Your 1-on-1 with your boss is next Tuesday and they’ll ask about your research and recommendation on a new policy for a temporary off-leash dog park. As a public servant, the skillset needed to succeed as a modern day parks professional has changed. So we decided to do something about it. www.parksandrecipes.com One quick question for you before you leave… If you have 24 seconds, it would mean a lot. What’s going on in your world that led you to click on our page? Comment below and tell us what challenges you’re facing in your parks and recreation journey. I respond to every comment.

We all want to create a healthier future. Shouldn’t we start by rewarding the unsung heroes? The scientists, researchers, astronomers and yes, our lovely, selfless, dedicated Park Rangers? Park Rangers protect the forests and wildlife, both behind the scenes, ensuring park visitors have a safe experience (as many tourists have no outdoor skills), and they educate to keep our natural resources and the habitat safe from human harm. It is a constant battle, because humans are, well… humans! Did you know Federal Park Rangers can make below state minimum wage? Yet, they are monitoring the safety of our delicate ecosystem, creating a voice for habitat, and truly caring about nature- down to every last twig. We need more environmental stewards and for this profession to be respected and not just a line item on a chopping block when it is budget time. Next time you visit a National or State Park, remind yourself that a college grad most likely cleaned the facilities you are using! Encourage all to respect nature. You are never too old to learn. Make sure to go to the visitor’s center next time you visit a Park, and dig into the material, displays, and presentations they provide. It is there for a reason. Invite a Ranger to speak at your company events… Just some ideas! It looks like this segment could use a helping hand. (I am proud to share that my daughter is a Ranger in Mono County, and I appreciate her and her team’s service! I learned so much when visiting and touring. I would love to share the interesting knowledge specific to that location, but that is another topic!) https://lnkd.in/gSWY-j7g

🦒💛 The Elk Grove City Council's approval of a new zoo—the first municipal zoo built in the U.S. in over 30 years—in collaboration with the Sacramento Zoological Society marks a transformative era for the region. This 65-acre, $300 million-plus ecological park is projected to generate 2,400 construction jobs, 615 direct and induced jobs, and $360 million in economic impact within its first five years. 🌍📚 The zoo will be a magnet for tourism, boosting local businesses and enhancing Elk Grove's reputation as a premier destination for family-friendly entertainment. Beyond economic benefits, the zoo will serve as a living laboratory where students can explore scientific concepts, conduct research, and develop solutions to real-world problems. With immersive exhibits, interactive programs, and hands-on experiences, the zoo will foster a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation and equip a new generation of environmental leaders with the knowledge and passion to address pressing ecological challenges. 🌿🦁 Ultimately, the zoo symbolizes Elk Grove's unwavering commitment to economic prosperity, educational excellence, and environmental sustainability. It's not just about building a zoo; it's about building a brighter future for generations to come—one where economic opportunity and educational empowerment intersect, creating a legacy of prosperity and progress. 📰 Read more about this transformative project and its impact on the community: https://conta.cc/3QQRtj9

The latest participation report by the Outdoor Industry Association shows a record 168.1 million Americans recreated outside in 2022, representing 55% of the country. Since January 2020, 14.5 million more Americans went outdoors to participate in a wide range of outdoor recreation activities. The latest report shows increased diversity of new participants, which credits the growing number of programs aimed at growing inclusivity in the outdoors. The challenge is to convert the growing number of outdoor recreationists into advocates who can sway public policy. “This report should resonate with lawmakers with evidence that more than half of Americans value natural spaces and are invested in the future of public lands. This should be a call to action to prioritizing this very important part of American infrastructure, and that conservation of public lands is a huge issue for Americans." Tania Lown-Hecht, VP Communications at Outdoor Alliance. Read the report via the The Colorado Sun: https://lnkd.in/gTXRm2n5

This new report by the Outdoor Industry Association shows that people love to get outside to recreate in our public spaces. From local parks to public lands that the USFS, BLM and other agencies manage, visitation is up! This report shows a 2.3% increase from 2021 to 2022. Along with increases in usage comes the need for funding to operate, maintain and improve our public lands and parks. We've seen a rise in funding over the past few years through #AmericatheBeautiful, #IRA, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other funding sources, but we need more dedicated funding for conservation, restoration and park and recreation needs. The report also shows that although outdoor recreation has increased overall, kids and young peoples outdoor use is in decline. Check out the report to learn more!